About Us

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Our Mission

It is the mission of the UCLA Blood and Platelet Center to provide an adequate and safe supply of blood for our patients. We pride ourselves in providing donors with a rewarding donation experience.

Our History

In 1975, UCLA's Blood and Platelet Center opened its doors for the first time. Back then, we collected blood specifically for patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. However, with the expansion of the UCLA Medical Center and the increase in life saving procedures, our collection efforts have grown remarkably since then. Today, we are responsible for maintaining a healthy blood supply for patients receiving care at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, the UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, and the UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica.

The UCLA Blood and Platelet Center collects approximately 30,000 volunteer donations per year. These donations yield about 60% - 80% of the 100,000 blood and platelets that are transfused at UCLA Hospitals. Our donors play an essential role in assuring that surgeries and critical therapies can be carried out without delays or cancellations due to blood shortages.

At the UCLA Blood and Platelet Center, we are committed to increasing blood and platelet donations from our community members. In the Los Angeles area, residents donate blood at the lowest rate of any city in the nation, making the region and our patients dependent on blood imported from other parts of the country.

The need for blood is never-ending at UCLA for several reasons. The Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center is a Level 1 Trauma Center, UCLA Hospitals perform the most transplants than any other hospital in the country (approximately 1,000 organ transplants yearly), Oncology Departments perform a vast number of life-saving procedures for both pediatric and adult cancer patients, and all UCLA Hospitals combined safeguard the health of over four million people in western Los Angeles County.

We strongly believe that the needs of the Los Angeles area patients can be met by increasing donations from within our own Los Angeles community. Please consider making an appointment to come in and donate today. For more information, please visit our Make an Appointment Page.

Approximately 100,000 units of blood are needed every year at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica. Blood transfusions help patients suffering trauma such as accidents or burns, patients undergoing surgery, women experiencing complications during childbirth, newborns and premature babies, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or other diseases.

The Donation Process

Learn more about the donation process through this informational video, courtesy of My Local Buzz TV. Thank you and enjoy!